PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

WHO warns of ‘huge biological risk’ after Sudan fighters occupy lab containing virus The World Health Organization has warned that fighters in conflict-ravaged Sudan, had occupied the national public laboratory holding samples of viral diseases including polio and measles, creating an “extremely, extremely dangerous” situation.   Fighters “kicked out all the technicians from the lab… which is completely under the control of one of the fighting parties as a military base,” said Nima Saeed Abid, the WHO’s representative in Sudan.   He did not say which of the fighting parties had taken over the laboratory.   The fighting in Sudan is between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and those of his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Abid said he had received a call from the head of the national laboratory in Khartoum on Monday, April 24, a day before a US-brokered 72-hour ceasefire between Sudan’s warring generals offici...

BAN ON STREET BEGGING STILL IN PLACE - LASG ... As Court Sentences Woman to Two Months Imprisonment for Using Babies for Alms The Lagos State Government has again restated that the ban on street begging, particularly the use of babies and children for alms on the streets of Lagos, is still in place. The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Olusegun Dawodu reiterated the position of the State Government on the ban while reacting to the report of the woman arrested at Herbert Macaulay area of Ebute-Metta for indulging in the habit of using different babies for alms taking. Speaking further, the Commissioner revealed that the case was brought before Yaba Magistrate Court V, where she was sentenced to two months imprisonment without an option of fine, adding that the children are to be taken to the juvenile Welfare Centre for placement through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development for two months Dawodu lamented the increasing rate of using babies and children to beg for al...

SECOND TERM BID: LABOUR LEADERS ENDORSE UZODIMMA FOR SECOND TERM.    Imo labour leaders have again expressed the satisfaction of Imo Workers and retirees over the rehabilitation of the Imo state civil service by His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma. At a meeting with the Governor, the Labour leaders endorsed Governor Hope Uzodimma's second term bid as they showered encomuim on the Governor for his excellent performance and Governance  of the State. The union leaders recounted how  the Governor has created a cordial relationship between the State Government, workers and Pensioners, the consistent  payment of salaries; payment of pensions; free mass transit for workers; renovation of the State Secretariat, a new clinic and health insurance for the workers and the approval and implementation of promotion for workers without any recourse to the downing of tools.  They unanimously assured the Governor of their unalloyed support to his Government an...

"ONGOING: Due to multifarious interests in this matter and the need to ensure justice, @LagosPoliceNG CP Idowu Owohunwa is personally interviewing all parties in this case. @Lagosdsva, community members, landlord association, councilor representing the area…1/2 Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Omolara and family, Bebex and his employees, and lawyers representing both sides are in attendance. 2/2 CP Idowu Owohunwa, having carefully listened to all parties, has established that there are indeed cases to answer and has therefore directed that the matter be charged to court immediately. And finally, the DPO Mushin, in whose Divison all the officers aforementioned are serving, has been relieved of his posting with immediate Effect". INITIAL REPORT: A married lady was allegedly slapped for rebuffing the love advances of a man called Bebex in Ladipo area of Mushin. The lady after the attack, made a video, calling for human rights activists to assist her in fighting ...

Trending video of NDLEA officers in a minibus is an old skit, not real The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, wishes to reiterate that a trending video of some persons wearing red jackets similar to the ones used by officers and men of the Agency for operational purposes, operating in a minibus, is an old skit, which the Agency had disclaimed a year old. It should be noted that those in the video are not NDLEA officers. The Agency had in a well-publicized statement released on Saturday 21st May 2022 stated that it had established, following series of public enquiries, that the video with screenshot pictures attached to the statement is a skit produced by one Mathew C Eze who lives in the Lekki area of Lagos. A year after, the video has returned to the social media space, a development that has led to several enquiries from concerned members of the public on the authenticity of the content of the video. We will like to reiterate again that the confusion the controversial video...

Court Convicts Innocent for Love Scam The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Abuja Zonal Command, today, April 25, 2023, secured the conviction of one Innocent Anthony Joseph before Justice Anne Akobi of the FCT High Court Gwagwalada. He was prosecuted on a one count charge bordering on love scam. He pleaded guilty and was convicted by Justice Akobi, and sentenced to community service.  

Two Ex-convicts, 46 Others, Arrested for Internet Fraud in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arrested 48 internet fraud suspects, including two women, Precious Malachi Zidyep and Tina Patrick Omoyeme, in a sting operation in Kaduna. The suspects also include two ex-convicts: Williams Justice Gankon and AbdulWasiu Yunus who were apprehended at Yoruba Street, Yakowa Expressway, Karji, Kaduna State. They were previously arrested on April 10, 2022, prosecuted and convicted on August 31, 2022 by Justice Nasiru Umar Sadiq of the Kaduna State High Court. The other suspects are Triumph Abdul Yakub Faith, John Joseph Ojima, Benjamin Odey Sunday, Wisdom Omofunhe Billy, Korede Samuel Godiya, Isaiah Sunday, Favor Olayinka Bamidele, Gabriel Sunday, Sunday Simon Ojobo, Steven Dikeh Ebere, Abba Tachio, Moses Njoku Emeka, Okechukwu Kelvin Chidera, Lucius Rakun, Bege Bonet and Jonah Hussaini zisan. Others include Jamiu Najiem, Mohammed Abdulwasiu,...

NNPCL Has Spent $1bn On AKK Gas Pipeline Project – Kyari Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) says it has so far spent over 1.1 billion dollars on the ongoing construction of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline and Station project from its cash-flow. The NNPC Limited GCEO, Malam Mele Kyari said this while touring some of its project sites in Kogi, with newsmen and other stakeholders. Kyari was accompanied by some top officials of the NNPC Limited and Oilserv Limited, (Pipelines and Facilities), the contractor of the project. Kyari said the company would continue to fund the massive project which it was delivering in phases and has been active even though it did not have third party finance for the project. “So far, NNPC Ltd has funded over 1.1billion dollars on the project and to date none of the project activities is abandoned as reported and we reassure all stakeholders that we have a line of sight to project delivery on schedule. “NNPC Limited remains highl...

Police confirm arrest of Empress Njamah's ex-lover, says he duped over 20 women The arrest of Nicholas Jack Davies, the former boyfriend of Nigerian actress Empress Njamah, has been confirmed by the Liberian police. Davies was accused of blackmailing and leaking intimate videos of Njamah several months ago. During a press conference in Liberia, the police chief disclosed that Davies is a well-known scammer who specifically preys on wealthy women, lures them into romantic relationships, and manipulates them to swindle their fortunes. He said, "Notorious scammer Nicholas Jack Davis has been arrested by the Liberian National Police severally and charged to court. Fortunately, he returned to the community after bail and carried out the same actions he was previously charged with. "There have been several complaints against the 39-year-old, of which the suspect has victimized over twenty females. As a result, he is involved in absconding with their personal belongings and expe...

Singer, R.Kelly moved from Chicago to North Carolina prison to serve 30-year sentence Disgraced singer, R. Kelly has been transferred to a prison in North Carolina to serve his sentences prison sentence of more than 30 years. The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed Kelly, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly – was moved on Wednesday of last week from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago to the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina. The disgraced singer and Chicago native was sentenced in February to one additional year in prison for his Chicago conviction federal child pornography and child enticement charges, on top of the 30 years he's already serving for a separate conviction out of New York. In September 2022, a federal jury in Chicago convicted Kelly of six counts accusing him of sexually abusing three women – who testified under the pseudonyms Jane, Pauline, and Nia – on video, while acquitting him of enticement charges involving two othe...

President Joe Biden announces 2024 re-election bid President Joe Biden on Tuesday, April 25, formally announced that he is running for reelection in 2024, asking voters to give him more time to “finish the job” he began when he was sworn in to office and to set aside their concerns about extending the run of America’s oldest president for another four years. Biden, who would be 86 at the end of a second term, framed next year’s contest as a fight against Republican extremism, implicitly arguing he needed more time to fully realize his vow to restore the nation’s character. He said;  “When I ran for president four years ago, I said we are in a battle for the soul of America. And we still are. “The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom. More rights or fewer. I know what I want the answer to be and I think you do too. This is not a time to be complacent. That’s why I’m running for reelection.” While the question of seeking re-electio...

SUDAN CRISES: Gov Tambuwal Takes Necessary Action For The  Return of Sokoto Students Sequel to the crisis in Khartoum as well  as the trapped of of foreign Studends of differen Countries,  Nigeria inclusive, the Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has taken all necessary action for the safety of Sokoto State Students and their subsequent return back home.  A statement issued to newsman in Sokoto Commissioner of Information MUHAMMAD AKIBU DALHATU says  Gov. Tambuwal  is in constant touch with the Minister of Foreign Affairs over arrangement to secure the  transportation and Security cover to evacuate the students to the nearest border as quickly as possible. The State Government wishes to inform all parents of the students that their wards are well protected and in good health and they will soon be at home.  The Sokoto State Scholarship Board is also in hourly contact with the leadership of the state Students both under scholarship and sel...

FG publishes emergency numbers for evacuation of stranded Nigerians*  The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development have expressed concern over the situation in Sudan. Through the ministers, the Federal Government has published emergency numbers for those stranded Nigerians, A joint statement by the Geoffrey Onyeama and Sadiya Faruk urged parents to advise their wards to be calm as concerted efforts are being made to evacuate all Nigerians stranded in Sudan. The joint statement signed by the Permanent Secretaries of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of  Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and Social Development, states that Nigerian students are also advised to maintain constant communication with the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan for further directives. Furthermore, the statement also advised all Nigerian nationals to guard against undertaking the treacherous journey to the borders on their own, in view of t...

Nigerian Pastor And His Wife Welcome First Child After 35 Years Of Waiting. 36 years and they still waited together, some of my generation people would have sent her parking just two years without a miscarriage, then Marry another woman. Yes, I understand that these Couple should be celebrating their children's Marriages and expecting their grandchildren by now, but life happens. This is wen you talk about compatibility, acceptance, endurance and understanding in Marriage.  

 EFCC Arraigns Man for N7.6m Fraud in Maiduguri The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, arraigned one Danladi Mohammed, before Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, on one count charge of criminal misappropriation to the tune of N7,600,000.00 (Seven Million and Six Hundred Thousand Naira). The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charge. Counsel for the prosecution, S.O Saka who appeared alongside V.O Ekanem and A.A Ayenshola asked for a date to commence trial. Justice Fadawu adjourned the case till May 8, 9 and 10, 2023 for the commencement of trial and ordered the remand of the defendant.

  After One Year Of Marriage, Lady Finds Out Husband Is Sleeping With Her Dad  The devastated lady in a viral video recounted: “Imagine being 20 years old pregnant with your first baby to find out you’re HIV positive and your husband is sleeping with your dad. “I got married at 19 to a man that was 36. Found out he was gay and gave me HIV. I found out pregnant with my daughter. “I’ve been trying to find myself and by helping other people who has been used and ab^used by men. I found out my husband and real father was messing around while we was married.”. Watch video below. 

Rest in Power🙏🏾  Legendary singer, activist, and actor #HarryBelafonte has died of congestive heart failure at 96 years old, The New York Times reports. Harry was a renowned singer, actor, and activist. He was a pioneer in breaking down barriers for Black performers in the entertainment industry and became a major force in the civil rights movement.  Belafonte was best known for his hit songs, including "The Banana Boat Song" and "Jump in the Line," but his activism was equally important.  He used his celebrity status to advocate for social justice and civil rights and worked closely with Dr. #MartinLutherKing Jr. Belafonte was also a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and focused on humanitarian efforts, including supporting programs that provided education and healthcare to underserved communities.  He leaves behind a legacy of using his platform to make a positive impact on the world. Watch below.

GOV. ORTOM TRANSMITS BILL TO PROTECT WIDOWS TO ASSEMBLY 25th April, 2023      The Governor Samuel Ortom-led state executive council has sent a bill to establish the Benue State Widows Commission and to prohibit harmful practices against widows to the state’s House of Assembly. The bill also seeks to make laws to protect the widows from exploitative acts, punish offenders and for other related purposes. The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mike Inalegwu, while briefing journalists in Makurdi, said the decision of the Ortom administration to enact the law was premised on the fact that there are several ethnic groups in the state with diverse cultural norms and practices which negatively impact widows upon the death of their husbands. He said such ill practices include but are not limited to disinheritance from the assets of a deceased husband, banishment from a late husband’s home, being forced to marry a relation of the deceased husband, among other...

Kenyan police say the death toll from the starvation cult has now risen to 73. Japhet Koome, inspector-general of police (IGP) in Kenya, had earlier pegged the casualties at 58. In bizarre developments, one pastor Paul Nthenge, founder of the Good News International Church, instructed his congregation to starve themselves to “meet Jesus”. Followers of the church were reported to be living in several secluded settlements in an 800-acre area within the Shakahola forest. In a statement on Monday, Koome said the bodies were exhumed from shallow graves in the disturbing scene, adding that 29 people had been rescued. He said the investigation had so far indicated that Nthenge’s victims were subjected to extreme religious beliefs, characterized by fasting and starvation to death, as their unorthodox means to meet their maker. Koome assured that “all those culpable shall face the law” and added that rescue missions were ongoing. Charles Kamau, head detective in Malindi, Kilifi County, told Reu...

Nigeria’s Veteran Journalist, Peter Enahoro Dead April 25, 2023 One of Nigeria’s veteran journalists, Peter Enahoro, popularly known by his pen name; Peter Pan has passed on. It was reported that Enahoro, born January 21, 1935, gave up the ghost in London, United Kingdom on Sunday. The 88-year-old journalist, author, businessman and publisher was known by the pen name Peter Pan because of his popular column in New African magazine. The development was announced in a terse statement by Nigeria’s foremost female journalist, Ms Bunmi Sofola. The statement read in part, “Regret to announce the passing on of our iconic journalist Peter Enahoro “Peter Pan” today in London at the age of 88. RIP. “Also known by the pen name of “Peter Pan” because of his popular column in New African magazine under that name. He has been described as ‘perhaps Africa’s best-known international journalist’”. Born January 21, 1935, Enahoro was a journalist, author, businessman and publisher. The deceased columnist...

FG storms Sudan with 40 buses to evacuate trapped Nigerian students 25 April 2023   Hope of rescue has risen for trapped Nigerians students in Khartoum, Sudan. This is because  40 buses are said to be already on ground to convey the students from Khartoum to Cairo. Foreign countries rushed to evacuate their nationals from Sudan as deadly fighting raged into a second week between forces loyal to two rival generals. Foreigners also fled the capital Khartoum in a long-United Nations convoy, while millions of frightened residents hunkered down inside their homes, many running low on water and food. Across the city of five million, army and paramilitary troops have fought ferocious street battles since April 15, leaving behind charred tanks, gutted buildings and looted shops. More than 420 people have been killed and thousands wounded, according to UN figures, amid fears of wider turmoil and a humanitarian disaster in one of the world’s poorest nations. The Federal Government said ...

Residents cry out as herders terrorise 10 Edo communities 25 April 2023 Gunmen suspected to be herders and their collaborators, have laid siege to over 10 remote agrarian communities in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, abducted eight persons from Igolo community last week, and forced relatives to pay ransom for freed ones. Residents have fled Igolo community and Abumwenre 2 communities because of the fear-provoking activities of the gunmen, who lay ambush for unsuspecting farmers on the farm road. The audacious gunmen, who invaded Ughohue community twice last week, shot a woman dead and another on the face, now go from house to house, community to community, shooting, maiming and robbing helpless villagers. Worse hit are Igolo and Abumwenre communities, completely deserted when NDV visited last week. Terrified inhabitants of Abumwenre 2, which is a farm settlement, moved to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camp in Ohogua village. Other affected communities are ...